Facility for storing and dispensing fuel

ABSTRACT

A facility for storing and dispensing fuel, comprising:
         a storage tank ( 2 ) equipped with a vent pipe ( 3 ) and connected to a fuel dispenser ( 1 ) by a fuel dispensing system and by a vapor recovery system ( 10 ), and   a condensation/separation device ( 4 ) connected to the vent pipe ( 3 ) and allowing fuel vapor originating from the storage tank ( 2 ) and water vapor originating from the outside air to be condensed,
 
characterized in that it comprises:
   at least one detection means ( 7, 8 ) cooperating with the condensation/separation device ( 4 ) for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to said detection, and   a control device ( 9 ) receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system ( 10 ) to a control center ( 24 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371and claims the benefit of International Application No.PCT/EP2017/061154, filed May 10, 2017 which claim priority to FrenchApplication No. 1654157 filed May 10, 2016. The disclosure of theforegoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

The present invention relates to a facility for storing and dispensingfuel for motor vehicles, such as a service station.

Such a facility comprises a fuel storage tank equipped with a vent pipeand connected to at least one fuel dispenser comprising a hose connectedto a dispensing nozzle, on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system in avehicle tank and on the other hand by a vapor recovery system aspiratingthe fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in a tank.

Service stations are traditionally equipped with tanks able to storeso-called light fuels such as lead-free gasoline SP 95 or SP 98, forexample.

The gas phase of the light fuel may contain between 40 and 90% by volumeof volatile organic compounds (VOC), some of which are very harmful tohuman health; the gas complement is air loaded with water vapor orhumidity.

It is thus very important to be able to prevent any emission of VOC intothe atmosphere, especially VOC generated entirely by light fuels duringoperations of refilling the fuel tanks and dispensing fuel.

At the service stations each fuel storage tank, which is generallyburied, is equipped with a vent pipe having a valve to prevent said tankbeing placed under excess pressure or partial vacuum and to balance outits pressure according to whether it is in partial vacuum or excesspressure.

A European regulation known a “phase II recovery” requires the recoveryof fuel vapor emitted outside the tank of a vehicle during its refillingin order to avoid an emission of gas phase containing hydrocarbons.

For this purpose, the facilities for storage and dispensing of fuel areequipped with a vapor recovery system having a gas phase collectionconduit working by aspiration and extending from the nozzle of the fueldispenser to the storage tank.

This vapor recovery system comprises a pump to aspirate the vapor and aflow rate meter, able to measure the flow rate of the aspirated vapor.

A control system makes it possible to control and adjust the flow rateof the aspirated vapor so that the volume ratio of fuel dispensed andvapor recovered is as close as possible to 1.

In fact, the liquid fuel transferred to the tank of a vehicle drives outfrom that tank a volume of fuel vapor equivalent to the liquid fueldelivered, being aspirated by the fuel vapor recovery system; in theory,the volume of the aspirated gas phase is thus identical to the volume ofliquid fuel delivered into the tank of the vehicle, although this is notalways the case in practice.

In fact, it often happens that the vapor recovery system does not workproperly and the aforementioned theoretical ratio of 1 is not attained.

Thus, this results in an excess pressure or a partial vacuum in thestorage tank with a rebalancing by the vent pipe; this rebalancinggenerates either an emission of gas phase laden with hydrocarbons to theoutside when the tank is under excess pressure, or an entry of air fromthe outside, laden with humidity, into the tank when the tank is underpartial vacuum.

These phenomena are further amplified by the presence of significanttemperature differences between the storage tank and the ambient air, asis often the case during times of intense heat associated with highrelative humidity of the air.

In the case of a partial vacuum, air is aspirated through the vent andwater vapor is thus transferred from the outside into the storage tankby the vent pipe to make possible the compensation or the rebalancing ofthe pressure in that tank.

Humidity may likewise be transferred into the storage tank by the returnof the aspirated gas phase in the tanks of vehicles, which arethemselves in contact with the outside air and thus laden with humidity.

Hence, the result is a presence of air laden with humidity in the fuelstorage tanks.

This humidity has the drawback of causing corrosion of the walls of thetank which, in the end, may become perforated, spilling fuel into thesubsoil and causing a not insignificant pollution.

Moreover, this humidity may result in a freezing of the water in thepresence of negative temperatures with a risk of blocking the vent linesor the fuel dispensing lines.

In the case of excess pressure in the tank, a gas phase laden withhydrocarbons is emitted into the atmosphere via the vent pipe, causingpollution.

To remedy these drawbacks, it has already been proposed to equip thefacilities for storing and dispensing of fuel with acondensation/separation device connected to the vent pipe of the storagetank and making it possible to condense the fuel vapor coming from thestorage tank in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense thewater coming from the outside air in order to generate condensed water;said condensation/separation device being connected to the storage tankand to a condensed water evacuation line to the outside, in particularto the spent water mains.

As an example, there has already been proposed according to the documentWO 2014 096 596 a light fuel storage and dispensing facility able toboth recover gaseous hydrocarbons resulting from light fuels byrefrigeration type condensation at subzero temperature and to dehumidifythe outside air during the storing and dispensing of fuels.

This fuel storage and dispensing facility comprises in particular acondenser to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank and adehumidifier for the outside air admitted into this tank.

This facility is thus able to prevent pollution outside of the storagetank and to prevent a contamination of the fuel of this tank with water,in event of its excess pressure or partial vacuum.

However, this facility is not able to identify the problem causing saidexcess pressure or partial vacuum in the storage tank and in particularit is not able to detect a malfunction of the fuel vapor recoverysystem, in particular to detect a leak in the channel connecting thedispensing nozzle to the storage tank.

The purpose of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks byproposing a fuel storage and dispensing facility of the aforementionedkind which is able to recover the gaseous hydrocarbons emanating fromthe storage tank and to prevent the contamination of said tank withwater emanating from the outside air, while making it possible to detectmalfunctions of the fuel vapor recovery system.

According to the invention, this fuel storage and dispensing facilitycomprises at least one fuel dispenser having a hose connected to adispensing nozzle, which is connected to a fuel storage tank, and a fuelvapor recovery system aspirating the fuel vapor emitted during adispensing of fuel in a vehicle tank.

The fuel vapor recovery system is connected to the fuel storage tank.

The facility also comprises a vent pipe connected on the one hand to thefuel storage tank and on the other hand to a condensation/separationdevice able to condense fuel vapor coming from the storage tank in orderto generate condensed fuel and to condense water coming from the outsideair in order to generate condensed water.

The condensation/separation device is connected to a condensed fuelevacuation line connected to the fuel storage tank and to a condensedwater evacuation line, connected to the outside of the fuel tank.

According to the invention, this fuel storage and dispensing facility ischaracterized in that it comprises:

-   -   at least one detection means cooperating with the        condensation/separation device for detecting the presence of        condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and        generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to said        detection, and    -   a control device receiving said warning signal and transmitting,        in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel        vapor recovery system to a control center.

This control center may be situated in the fuel dispenser, in the kioskof the service station, or at a distance from the service station; aremote command center may be provided, linked to multiple controlcenters of multiple service stations.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, thecondensation/separation device comprises on the one hand a condenserwhich condenses at the same time the fuel vapor coming from the storagetank and the water coming from the outside air and on the other hand aseparator connected to said condenser and comprising two outlets,namely, a first outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation lineand a second outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line.

The condenser which is connected to the vent circuit and which condensesthe fuel and water vapors at the same time thus provided at its output amixture of condensed fuel and water, and it operates preferably at atemperature of around −2° C. to avoid the accumulation of ice, and itgenerally comprises a channeling in which there circulates a fluidcooled by a compressor.

The separator, which is connected to the condenser, makes it possible toseparate the condensed water from the condensed fuel which, beinglighter, floats on top of the latter.

According to this first embodiment of the invention, the two outlets ofthe separator are each equipped with an automatically controlled valvecooperating with a condensate detector making it possible to detect thenature of the condensate contained in this separator, namely, a firstvalve able to open or close the first outlet connected to the condensedfuel evacuation line and a second valve able to open or close the secondoutlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line, according tothe nature of the condensate detected.

The condensate detector makes it possible to detect the nature or thedensity of the condensate (water or hydrocarbons).

When the nature or the density of the condensate has been detected, theappropriate valve can be opened to evacuate either the hydrocarbons tothe storage tank by the condensed fuel evacuation line or the water, inparticular to the spent water mains, by the condensed water evacuationline.

The condensate detector in particular makes it possible to detect thedensity of the condensate; the density of the hydrocarbons and thedensity of the water being different, this detector is thus able todifferentiate between these liquids.

The condensate detector may likewise be an optical infrared detector.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, thecondensation/separation device comprises on the one hand a fuel vaporcondenser able to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tankand having an outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line,and on the other hand a dehumidifier able to condense the water comingfrom the outside air and having an outlet connected to the condensedwater evacuation line.

The condenser and the dehumidifier are connected in series to the ventpipe, the condenser being located upstream from the dehumidifier in thedirection of circulation of the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank.

According to this second embodiment of the invention, the condenser offuel vapor, which works at lower temperatures than the dehumidifier,substantially condenses only the fuel vapor coming from the storagetank, which is evacuated at once by the condensed fuel evacuation line.

Very little fuel vapor leaves the fuel vapor condenser in the directionof the dehumidifier, making it possible to condense the water from theair aspirated into the vent pipe.

This water, so condensed, is evacuated by the condensed water evacuationline.

The facility according to this second embodiment of the invention is infact simpler than that corresponding to the first embodiment insofar asit allows one to avoid the use of a hard to manage separator and toavoid the pollution of the evacuation lines with the respectivecondensates.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the facility maycomprise a single detection means or two detection means.

According to a first variant of this first embodiment, this detectionmeans may be composed of a volume meter, such as a flow meter installedbetween the condenser and the separator and generating and transmittinga warning signal in response to the measurement of a volume of condensedfuel or condensed water.

According to a second variant of this first embodiment of the invention,one or two detection means may be installed in the separator, generatingand transmitting a warning signal in response to the detection of apredefined volume of condensate in this separator.

Such a detection means may, for example, be composed of a gauge having afloat with a buoyancy adapted to float in the fuel and in the water andequipped with a magnet, cooperating with a magnetic contactor positionedat a high level so that when the float reaches this high level thecontactor detects the presence of the float and transmits a warningsignal to the control device which commands in parallel the opening ofthe valve at the appropriate exit of the separator to enable theevacuation of the condensed fuel or the condensed water contained inthis separator.

Such a float can thus move between a low level and a high level,defining a known volume V.

The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, eachactivation of the contactor transmits to the control device informationas to the volume V of condensate evacuated.

In other words, each warning signal or pulse transmitted to the controldevice generates information about the volume.

Each pulse is associated with a volume V and a number n of pulsescorresponds to a total volume of condensate detected by the detectionmeans Vt=nV.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the detection meansinstalled in the separator may also be a gauge provided with two floatshaving two different densities, namely, one density adapted to float inthe fuel and one density adapted to float in the water, these two floatscooperating with two different contactors.

In a variant, the separator may comprise two magnetostrictive probes,namely, a first probe having a density adapted to float in the fuel anda second probe having a float adapted to float in the water, but not inthe fuel.

The magnetostrictive probes, which are familiar in themselves and whichcan indicate a volume in real time, are particularly suited to the casewhen the separator contains a mixture of fuel and water.

The relative positions of the probes with respect to each other make itpossible to know the level of each condensate and to actuate the openingand closing of the valves in consequence.

In fact, if the separator contains only water, once there has been arecuperation of the fuel vapor, the two floats are basically at the samelevel.

The control device then commands only the opening of the second valve toevacuate the condensed water, in particular to the spent water mains.

If the separator contains water and fuel, the float of the first probeis positioned higher than the float of the second probe.

The control device is then notified as to the presence of the two phasesand it first commands the opening of the second valve to evacuate thewater which is denser than the fuel.

When the water has been evacuated, the float of the second water probereaches its lowest level and remains there, since it does not float inthe fuel; as for the float of the first probe for fuel, this ispositioned on top of the float assigned to the water.

The control device recognizes the relative positions of the two floatsand then commands the closing of the second valve and the opening of thefirst valve to evacuate the fuel.

Thus, this embodiment, making use of two magnetostrictive probes, isable to both detect an abnormal functioning of the vapor recoverysystem, measure the volumes of condensates, since the position of theprobes in the separator corresponds to a given volume, and also controlautomatically the opening of the valves.

According to another characteristic of the invention which may beapplied to the first embodiment and to the second embodiment, thefacility comprises two detection means, namely, a first detection meansconnected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and generating andtransmitting a warning signal for excess pressure in response to thedetection of condensed fuel in the condensed fuel evacuation line and asecond detection means connected to the condensed water evacuation lineand generating and transmitting a warning signal for underpressure inresponse to the detection of condensed water in the condensed waterevacuation line.

The detection of condensate by the first detection means makes itpossible to know that the storage tank is under excess pressure and thusthat the fuel vapor recovery system is recovering a greater volume offuel vapor than the volume of fuel delivered to the tank of the vehicle;hence, a malfunction is present.

On the other hand, when the storage tank is under partial vacuum, air isaspirated by the vent pipe and condensed water is evacuated by thecondensed water evacuation line and detected by the second detectionmeans, which generates a warning signal for underpressure which is sentto the control device.

A malfunction message is then sent to the control center.

These means of detection may be composed of volume meters such as flowmeters generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to themeasuring of a volume of condensed fuel or condensed water.

These means of detection may likewise each comprise a gauge lodged in areceptacle connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line or to thecondensed water evacuation line and having one inlet and one outlet.

Each gauge comprises a float cooperating with a contactor positioned ata high level.

When the float reaches the high level, it activates the contactor and avalve opens the outlet of the receptacle connected to the condensed fuelevacuation line or the receptacle connected to the condensed waterevacuation line.

The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, eachactivation of a contactor sends a message to the control device that avolume V of condensate has been evacuated.

In other words, each warning signal or pulse transmitted to the controldevice generates a volume message.

Each pulse is associated with a volume V, and thus a number n of pulsescorresponds to a total volume of condensate detected by the detectionmeans Vt=nV.

The use of a flow meter in a variant also makes it possible to know thevolume of condensate recovered.

During a defined period of time, the larger the volume of condensate andthe greater the malfunctioning of the fuel vapor recovery system, themore the volume of fuel delivered to the vehicle will differ from thevolume of recovered fuel vapor.

If the fuel vapor recovery system inside the fuel dispenser iscontrolled and functioning normally, a malfunction detected by the meansof detection means that the conduit of the fuel vapor recovery systemsituated between the fuel dispenser and the fuel tank has a leak.

The volumes of condensate calculated make it possible to knowapproximately the magnitude of this leak, and primarily the volume offuel vapor lost.

The invention also makes it possible to detect abnormal losses of liquidfuel.

In fact, it is possible to know approximately the volume of airaspirated into the vent pipe as a function of the volume of condensedwater, given the proportion of water in the air and the density ofwater.

The volume of air aspirated is equivalent to the volume of fuel vapornot recovered in the storage tank and which should have been recovered.

Hence, there is more liquid fuel delivered by the fuel dispenser andthus aspirated into the fuel storage tank than vapor recovered in thefuel storage tank.

The measured volume of condensed water then allows an approximatequantification of the loss of liquid fuel.

In event of a proper functioning of the fuel vapor recovery system, thisloss may be due to a fuel leak or to fraudulent fuel deliveries.

In theory, and as already pointed out, the volume of fuel aspirated intothe fuel storage tank corresponds to the volume of fuel vapor recoveredin the storage tank by the fuel vapor recovery system and the volume ofair aspirated by the vent pipe.

The difference between the volume of fuel aspirated and calculated bythis method and the volume of fuel delivered and measured by the fuelmeter dispenser allows a calculation of the volume of fuel lostabnormally.

The characteristics of the facility which is the subject of theinvention shall be described in further detail with reference to thenonlimiting drawings appended herewith, in which:

FIG. 1 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facilityfor a vehicle according to a first variant of the first embodiment ofthe invention,

FIG. 2 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facilitycorresponding to a second variant of the first embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 3 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facilityfor a vehicle corresponding to the second embodiment of the invention.

According to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the fuel storage and dispensing facilityfor a vehicle comprises a fuel dispenser 1 having a hose 11 connected toa nozzle 12.

The fuel dispenser 1 is connected to a fuel storage tank 2 which isgenerally underground.

The fuel dispenser 1 traditionally comprises a fuel dispensing system 26having a pump unit aspirating fuel from the fuel storage tank 2 and aflow meter measuring the flow rate of fuel delivered.

The fuel storage and dispensing facility further comprises a fuel vaporrecovery system 10 making it possible to aspirate the fuel vapor emittedduring a dispensing of fuel in the tank of a vehicle.

The liquid fuel transferred to the tank of the vehicle drives out fromthis tank a volume of fuel vapor equivalent to the volume of liquid fueldelivered, which is aspirated by the fuel vapor recovery system 10.

The fuel vapor recovery system 10 is connected to the fuel storage tank2 by a recovery line 25 so as to transfer the aspirated fuel vapor tothe storage tank 2.

The fuel vapor recovery system 10 traditionally comprises a pump toaspirate the fuel vapor and a flow meter allowing a measuring of theflow rate of aspirated vapor.

A control system makes it possible to control and adjust the flow rateof aspirated vapor so that the ratio of the distributed fuel volume tothe recovered vapor volume is as close as possible to 1.

The facility further comprises a vent pipe 3 connected on the one handto the fuel storage tank 2 and on the other hand to acondensation/separation device 4 making it possible to condense fuelvapor coming from the storage tank 2 in order to generate condensed fueland to condense water coming from the outside air in order to generatecondensed water.

The vent pipe 3 comprises a valve 27 and a flame arrester at its outerend 23.

The condensation/separation device 4 is connected to a condensed fuelevacuation line 5 which is connected to the storage tank 2 and to acondensed water evacuation line 6 which is connected to the spent watermains.

The condensation/separation device 4 is able to condense thehydrocarbons expelled by the storage tank 2 when there is an excesspressure in this tank, in order to avoid environmental pollution.

This device 4 is also able to trap the air aspirated by the vent pipe 3when there is an underpressure in the storage tank in order to avoidhaving water in this tank.

The facility for storing and dispensing of fuel likewise comprises atleast one detection means which shall be described in greater detailbelow, and which cooperates with the condensation/separation device 4 todetect the presence of condensed fuel and/or water in this facility andto generate and transmit a warning signal in response to said detection.

This warning signal is transmitted to a control device 9 which transitsin response a message of malfunction of the vapor recovery system 10 toa control center 24.

The detection means and the control device thus constitute a device formonitoring of the vapor recovery system 10, making it possible to alertthe operator in event of a malfunction so as to allow an intervention tocorrect said malfunction.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the condensation/separation device 4comprises a condenser 13 connected to the vent pipe 3 and condensingboth the fuel vapor coming from the fuel storage tank 2 and the watercoming from the outside air.

The condenser 13 is connected to a separator 14 which separates thehydrocarbon phase from the aqueous phase.

This separator 14 has two outlets 15, 16, namely, a first outlet 15connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 and a second outlet 16connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.

The two outlets 15, 16 of the separator 14 each comprise anautomatically controlled valve 19, 20, namely, a first valve 19 openingor closing the first outlet 15 connected to the condensed fuelevacuation line 5 and a second valve 20 opening or closing the secondoutlet 16 connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.

The separator 14 likewise comprises a condensate detector, not shown inthe figures, able to detect the nature (water or hydrocarbons) of thecondensate contained therein.

When the nature of this condensate has been detected, the appropriatevalve 19, 20 may be opened to evacuate either fuel to the storage tank 2by the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 or water to the spent watermains by the condensed water evacuation line 6.

According to FIG. 1, the detection means 7 is mounted in the separator14 and comprises a gauge transmitting a warning signal when a high levelof condensate is detected in the separator 14.

This gauge comprises a float 17 having a buoyancy adapted to float infuel and water.

The water contained in the separator 14 may come from the air aspiratedby the vent pipe 3, but also from fuel vapor aspirated by the fuel vaporrecovery system 10 which also aspirates a bit of air.

The float 17 is equipped with a magnet, activating a magnetic contactor18 positioned at a high level.

When the float 17 reaches this high level, the contactor 18 detects thepresence of the float 17 and transmits a warning signal to the controldevice 9.

According to FIG. 2, the facility comprises a first detection means 7connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 in order to detect thepresence of condensed fuel and a second detection means 8 connected tothe condensed water evacuation line 6 to detect the presence ofcondensed water.

The first detection means 7 generates a warning signal of excesspressure in response to the detection of condensed fuel, while thesecond detection means 8 generates a warning signal of underpressure inresponse to the detection of condensed water.

The detection means 7, 8 are composed of gauges lodged in a receptacleequipped with a valve connected to an outlet of this receptacle.

In a manner not represented, each gauge comprises a float which can movebetween a high level and a low level and cooperating with a contactorpositioned at the high level.

When the float reaches the high level, it activates the contactor andthe valve opens the outlet of the receptacle corresponding to the firstdetection means 7 or to the second detection means 8.

The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, eachactivation of the contactor generates information as to the volume V ofcondensate evacuated, which is sent to the control device 9.

According to FIG. 3, the condensation/separation device 4 comprises afuel vapor condenser 21 to condense the fuel vapor arriving in thestorage tank 2 and a dehumidifier 22 to condense the water coming fromthe outside air.

The condenser 21 and the dehumidifier 22 are connected in series withthe vent pipe 3, and the condenser 21 is situated upstream from thedehumidifier 22 in the direction of circulation of the fuel vapor comingfrom the storage tank 2.

The condenser 21 comprises an outlet connected to the condensed fuelevacuation line 5 while the dehumidifier 22 comprises an outletconnected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.

A first detection means 7 is mounted on the condensed fuel evacuationline 5 and a second detection means 8 is connected to the condensedwater evacuation line 6.

These detection means 7, 8 are identical to those described above withrespect to FIG. 2.

The invention thus provides a fuel storage and dispensing facility ableto both recover the gaseous hydrocarbons coming from the tank and toprevent the contamination of the tank with water coming from the outsideair, while enabling a detecting of malfunctions of the fuel vaporrecovery system.

In particular, it enables a detecting of losses in the pipelines of thevapor recovery system between the fuel dispenser and the tank.

The invention also enables a quantification of the abnormal fuel losses,such as those due to fraud or a leakage of fuel.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A facility for storing and dispensing fuel,comprising: a fuel storage tank (2) equipped with a vent pipe (3) andconnected to at least one fuel dispenser (1) on the one hand by a fueldispensing system (26) in a vehicle tank and, on the other hand, by avapor recovery system (10) which aspirates the fuel vapor emitted duringa dispensing of fuel in this tank, and a condensation/separation device(4) connected to the vent pipe (3) and allowing fuel vapor coming fromthe storage tank (2) to be condensed in order to generate condensed fueland water coming from the outside air to be condensed in order togenerate condensed water, said condensation/separation device (4) beingconnected to a condensed fuel evacuation line (5) connected to thestorage tank (2) and to a condensed water evacuation line (6) to theoutside, characterized in that it comprises: at least one detectionmeans (7, 8) cooperating with the condensation/separation device (4) fordetecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in saiddevice and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response tosaid detection, and a control device (9) receiving said warning signaland transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction ofthe fuel vapor recovery system (10) to a control center (24).
 2. Thefacility according to claim 1, characterized in that thecondensation/separation device (4) comprises on the one hand a condenser(13) which condenses at the same time the fuel vapor coming from thestorage tank (2) and the water coming from the outside air and on theother hand a separator (14) connected to said condenser and comprisingtwo outlets, namely, a first outlet (15) connected to the condensed fuelevacuation line (5) and a second outlet (16) connected to the condensedwater evacuation line (6).
 3. The facility according to claim 2,characterized in that the two outlets (15, 16) of the separator (14) areeach equipped with an automatically controlled valve cooperating with acondensate detector making it possible to detect the nature of thecondensate contained in this separator (14), namely, a first valve (19)able to open or close the first outlet (15) connected to the condensedfuel evacuation line (5) and a second valve (20) able to open or closethe second outlet (16) connected to the condensed water evacuation line(6), according to the nature of the condensate detected.
 4. The facilityaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the condensation/separationdevice (4) comprises on the one hand a fuel vapor condenser (21) able tocondense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) and having anoutlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5), and on theother hand a dehumidifier (22) able to condense the water coming fromthe outside air and having an outlet connected to the condensed waterevacuation line (6).
 5. The facility according to claim 2, characterizedin that it comprises a single detection means (7) composed of a volumemeter, such as a flow meter installed between the condenser (13) and theseparator (14) and generating and transmitting a warning signal inresponse to the measurement of a volume of condensed fuel or condensedwater.
 6. The facility according to claim 2, characterized in that itcomprises at least one detection means (7) installed in the separator(14) and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to thedetection of a predefined volume of condensate in this separator.
 7. Thefacility according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises twodetection means, namely, a first detection means (7) connected to thecondensed fuel evacuation line (5) and generating and transmitting awarning signal for excess pressure in response to the detection ofcondensed fuel in the condensed fuel evacuation line (5) and a seconddetection means (8) connected to the condensed water evacuation line (6)and generating and transmitting a warning signal for underpressure inresponse to the detection of condensed water in the condensed waterevacuation line (6).
 8. The facility according to claim 6, characterizedin that the detection means comprise (each comprise) a gauge having afloat movable between a low level and a high level and a contactor whichis activated when the high level is reached, triggering the warningsignal.
 9. The facility according to claim 7, characterized in that eachof the gauges is equipped with a valve at its outlet, opening when thefloat is at the high level so as to evacuate a known volume ofcondensate.